GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team posted two wins on Saturday to make it three-straight victories on home soil.
The Spartans defeated George Washington 7-3 and then bypassed Rider 8-1 behind 20 total hits including four home runs.
The three-straight wins also mark three-straight games with at least seven hits.
From Head Coach Janelle Breneman
"I was really proud of our offensive production in the two wins today. Up and down our entire line up, we are getting some big hits with runners on base. Morgan and Graysen also pitched well. It's always fun to see a freshman get her first win!"
GAME : UNCG 7 – George Washington 3
RECORDS
UNCG: 3-3
GW: 1-5
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jordan Gontram blasted a long ball out over the center field UNCG logo for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
- The Colonials tied the game at one with a solo home run from Hannah Eslick in the top of the third.
- On two hits and one error, George Washington picked up a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth.
- Grace Loftin led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left field and Tori Dalehite matched it with a two-bagger down the right field line cutting the deficit to one, 3-2.
- Makenna Matthijs' sacrifice fly to deep center field brought in Dalehite to tie the game at three each.
- The Spartans broke open the game in the bottom of the sixth as Hannah Kincer led off the inning with her own solo home run to give UNCG a 4-3 edge.
- Jessie Shipley doubled and Jordan Gontram singled to score Shipley for another run and a 5-3 lead.
- With one on and no one out, Samantha Lagrama cranked a full count pitch over the left field wall extending the Spartans' lead to 7-3.
NOTES
- Morgan Scott struck out seven batters in 7.0 innings of work for her second win of the season.
- This was the second-straight game with 10 hits for the Spartans.
- Two Spartans recorded a multi-hit game including Jordan Gontram (2-for-3) and Tori Dalehite (3-for-3).
- Dalehite had two doubles, scored one run, and one RBI.
- Jordan Gontram crushed her second home run of the season.
- Kincer sent out her second long ball of the season.
- Lagrama connected for her first home run of the season.
- The Spartans are now 8-4 over the Colonials.
PITCHING RECORDS
Morgan Scott: 2-1
Sierra Lang: 1-3
GAME 2: UNCG 8 – Rider 1
RECORDS
UNCG: 4-3
Rider: 1-2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UNCG kicked off the game with three runs in the bottom of the first on four hits and two errors.
- The Broncs cut the deficit to 3-1, as Olivia Burroughs doubled to left center with two outs and Laneya Wright drove her in with her own double.
- In the bottom of the fifth with one out, Grace Loftin came up to the plate and sent out her first-collegiate home run – a grand slam – to extend UNCG's lead to 7-1.
- The Spartans' Maycin Brown led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to left center and Shipley moved her around with a single to the same area for an 8-1 advantage.
Grace Loftin, on her grand slam
"It felt unreal. I had dreamt of that moment forever. It makes it even cooler that it was a grand slam. It was awesome to hear my teammates go crazy and celebrate with them!"
NOTES
- Freshman Graysen Hunter earned her first-collegiate win tossing 5.2 innings and allowing five hits.
- Two Spartans recorded a multi-hit game including: Delaney Cumbie (2-for-2) and Jordan Gontram (2-for-3).
- Loftin hit out the Spartans' first grand slam of the season.
- UNCG extends its streak to 6-0 against the Broncs.
Grace Loftin on playing at UNCG Softball Stadium
"It has been awesome playing at home and getting to see and hear our fans. The atmosphere and energy have been unmatched and I am looking forward to the rest of the season!"
PITCHING RECORDS
Graysen Hunter: W, 1-1
Anna-Maria Groskritz: L, 0-1
ON DECK
UNCG takes on George Washington once more on Sunday, February 20 with first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m. to conclude the Spiro Classic at UNCG Softball Stadium.
